Performing Miracles

God split the sea. What miracle can we do?

Imagine. The Egyptians are chasing after you and the sea is in front of you. There is nowhere to run. At the moment when all seems lost, the sea suddenly splits before your eyes. What kind of reaction would you have?

Now imagine an alien coming down to earth, and he sees both the splitting of the sea and the birth of a baby. What would he (or she…or it…) think is a greater miracle?

The inexplicable development and birth of a new human being from another seems to be more impressive than water moving in opposite directions. But we are used to the concept of giving birth – no matter how ‘miraculous’ it may be. For us, what makes something incredible and miraculous is when nature does something very unusual – when physical nature doesn’t follow its nature. That is a miracle in our eyes.

Interestingly, when we sing about the splitting of the sea in the Hallel prayer, the Psalm says that the sea ‘fled’ – ‘vayanos’ in Hebrew. That’s a rather peculiar way of describing the event. And what makes it even stranger is that the exact same word is used in the Torah to describe Joseph. When Joseph was sent down to Egypt by his brothers, he became a slave for the aristocrat, Potiphar. Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. She would change clothing throughout the day, and even threatened to put hot metal spears in Joseph’s eyes unless he looked at her. One day the house was empty and Potiphar’s wife was putting immense pressure on Joseph. The temptation to give in was reaching a boiling point. And the verse says, “She caught him by his garment, saying, ‘Lie with me!’ And he left his garment in her hand and fled (vayanos) and went outside” (Genesis, 39:12).

Why is the splitting sea described as ‘fleeing’ the same way Joseph is described as ‘fleeing’? There must be a connection.

We explained that in our eyes a miracle occurs when physical nature doesn’t follow its nature. But what makes something miraculous in God’s eyes? The manipulation of nature is not impressive for God; that’s easy business!

In the eyes of Heaven, a miracle is when human beings go against their nature. And that is exactly what Joseph did. Just as the sea ‘fled,’ going against its normative physical nature and creating a miracle, so too when Joseph ‘fled’ from Potiphar’s wife, he went against his nature and created a human miracle. When God sees a person overcoming a negative urge which is in his nature, now that’s impressive! Wow! Indeed, the Talmud says, “You should have seen the commotion in heaven when Joseph did what he did!”

When we choose to fight being lazy, getting angry, or succumbing to our desires and overcome these natural inclinations instead, we perform a real miracle. When we face the challenges in our lives, we have the ability to raise ourselves through our choices The challenge is pushing us to move one step above our nature, and when we do that we attain a spiritual accomplishment that is out of this world.

The Midrash says that when the sea saw the coffin of Joseph being held by the Jewish people as they were leaving Egypt, it remembered how Joseph fled from Potiphar’s wife. And in the merit of one of the greatest human miracles performed by Joseph, God responded by performing one of the most supernatural miracles ever and split the sea.

The extent we move beyond our natural state and consciously bring God into our lives determines the extent God will deal with us in an open and miraculous way. When we perform our own miracles for our relationship with God, God performs miracles for us.

The word for a miracle in Hebrew is a ‘nes’, and the Hebrew word for a challenge is ‘nisayon.’ It derives from the same root because the concept is the same. A miracle is about embracing a challenge and going against our nature. We may not be able to split the sea or perform physical miracles, but we can perform our own personal miracles by rising above our negative drives and doing what is right.

The Talmud asks, “Who is strong?” The answer is powerful: “One who overcomes his desires” (Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1). That is the real test of character. And that is the real test of life.

About the Author

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 17

(17)
jim,
April 19, 2017 7:26 AM

right as can be....

....give it up for HaShem!

(16)
jeff leach,
April 16, 2017 5:36 PM

A wonderful encouraging and inspiring point of view. Truly something I can use in life. Thank you for this.

(15)
Anonymous,
April 16, 2015 3:41 PM

life-altering article!

As an avid reader of Aish articles, I have come across many worthwhile pieces. This, however, is a real life-altering piece - it really puts things in the right perspective.May we all have the wisdom and courage to apply this article to our daily lives.

(14)
peres,
April 7, 2015 5:58 PM

What an article, very inspiring. Thank so much

(13)
Lisa,
April 7, 2015 5:21 PM

Very powerful!!

I learned about miracles all my life in school, in shiurim & in a Rabbi's Chanukah drasha & never did an explanation like this one resonate with my reality!!!
Thank you!!
A zissen Passover to you!

(12)
Anonymous,
April 6, 2015 12:59 PM

Absolutely amazing and inspiring article! Thanks for posting this!

(11)
Elisheba,
January 23, 2015 9:30 PM

Very interesting!

(10)
Henry Njolomole,
May 6, 2014 11:54 PM

This is interesting indeed.

(9)
Anonymous,
April 20, 2014 5:51 AM

Vayanos seems to be related to nes

(8)
Anonymous,
April 18, 2014 8:45 AM

Good Point!

Beautiful idea just in time for the 7th day of Passover. Thanks.

(7)
E.R.,
April 18, 2014 8:06 AM

Oliver Anisfeld's article puts the emphasis on what we can do for Hashem. The sentiments so beautifullyexpressed should truly be life-changing. Iy"H, let itbegin with me.

Liked your explanation of a miracle....one that us humans can do!!This Pesach, while being with relatives ( some I could really do without!!!) I'm going to do my best to overcome my usual reactions! Neis Gadol Haya Po!! A meaningful (& stress free) Pesach to all!!

(2)
dovid rosman,
April 11, 2014 4:46 AM

Beautiful

Beautiful article. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to sharing this over Pesach.thank you and please write more

(1)
Daniel Fine,
April 10, 2014 7:14 PM

thanks!

This article is great! Which yeshiva did you learn at - I would recommend others to go there!

This year during Chanukah I will be on a wilderness survival trip, and it will be very difficult to properly celebrate the holiday. I certainty won't be able to bring along a Menorah.

So if I am going to celebrate only one day of Chanukah, which is the most significant?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

If a person can only celebrate one day of Chanukah, he should celebrate the first day.

This is similar to a case where a person is in prison, and the authorities agree to permit him to go to synagogue one day. The law is that he should go at the first opportunity, and not wait for a more important day like the High Holidays.

The reason is because one should not allow the opportunity of a mitzvah to pass. Moreover, it is quite conceivable that circumstances will later change and allow for additional observance. Therefore, we do not let the first chance pass. (Sources: Code of Jewish Law OC 90, Mishnah Berurah 28.)

As an important aside, Chanukah candles must be lit in (or at the entrance to) a home rather than out of doors. Thus, you should not light in actual "wilderness," but only after you've pitched your tent for the night.

There may be another reason why the first night is the one to focus on. Chanukah is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the one-day supply of oil that miraculously burned for eight days. But if you think about it, since there was enough oil to burn naturally for one night, nothing miraculous happened on that first night! So why shouldn't Chanukah be just seven days?!

There are many wonderful answers given to this question, highlighting the special aspect of the first day. Here are a few:

1) True, the miracle of the oil did not begin until the second day, and lasted for only seven days. But the Sages designated the first day of Chanukah in commemoration of the miraculous military victory.

2) Having returned to the Temple and found it in shambles, the Jews had no logical reason to think they would find any pure oil. The fact that the Maccabees didn't give up hope, and then actually found any pure oil at all, is in itself a miracle.

3) The Sages chose Chanukah, a festival that revolves around oil's ability to burn, as the time to teach the fundamental truth that even so-called "natural" events take place only because God wants them to.

The Talmudic Sage Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa expressed this truth in explaining a miracle that occurred in his own home. Once, his daughter realized that she had lit the Shabbos candles with vinegar instead of oil. Rabbi Chanina calmed her, saying, "Why are you concerned! The One Who commanded oil to burn, can also command vinegar to burn!" The Talmud goes on to say that those Shabbos lights burned bright for many hours (Taanit 25a).

To drive this truth home, the Sages decreed that Chanukah be observed for eight days: The last seven to commemorate the miracle of the Menorah, and the first to remind us that even the “normal” burning of oil is only in obedience to God's wish.

In closing, I'm not sure what's stopping you from celebrating more than one day? At a minimum, you can light one candle sometime during the evening, and that fulfills the mitzvah of Chanukah - no “official Menorah” necessary. With so much joy to be had, why limit yourself to one night only?!

In 165 BCE, the Maccabees defeated the Greek army and rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Finding only one jar of pure oil, they lit the Menorah, which miraculously burned for eight days. Also on this day -- 1,100 years earlier -- Moses and the Jewish people completed construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary that accompanied them during 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Tabernacle was not dedicated, however, for another three months; tradition says that the day of Kislev 25 was then "compensated" centuries later -- when the miracle of Chanukah occurred and the Temple was rededicated. Today, Jews around the world light a Chanukah menorah, to commemorate the miracle of the oil, and its message that continues to illuminate our lives today.

A person who utilizes suffering to arouse himself in spiritual matters will find consolation. He will recognize that even though the suffering was difficult for him, it nevertheless helped him for eternity.

When you see yourself growing spiritually through your suffering, you will even be able to feel joy because of that suffering.

They established these eight days of Chanukah to give thanks and praise to Your great Name(Siddur).

Jewish history is replete with miracles that transcend the miracle of the Menorah. Why is the latter so prominently celebrated while the others are relegated to relative obscurity?

Perhaps the reason is that most other miracles were Divinely initiated; i.e. God intervened to suspend the laws of nature in order to save His people from calamity.

The miracle of the Menorah was something different. Having defeated the Seleucid Greek invaders, the triumphant Jews entered the Sanctuary. There they found that they could light the Menorah for only one day, due to a lack of undefiled oil. Further, they had no chance of replenishing the supply for eight days. They did light the Menorah anyway, reasoning that it was best to do what was within their ability to do and to postpone worrying about the next day until such worry was appropriate. This decision elicited a Divine response and the Menorah stayed lit for that day and for seven more.

This miracle was thus initiated by the Jews themselves, and the incident was set down as a teaching for all future generations: concentrate your efforts on what you can do, and do it! Leave the rest to God.

While even our best and most sincere efforts do not necessarily bring about miracles, the teaching is nevertheless valid. Even the likelihood of failure in the future should not discourage us from any constructive action that we can take now.

Today I shall...

focus my attention on what it is that I can do now, and do it to the best of my ability.

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